FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Heritage University receives $2.1 million NSF grant to increase student success in STEM

 

Toppenish, Wash. – Heritage University will use a five-year, $2.1 million grant from the National Science Foundation to increase student success in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Over the next five years, Heritage will implement the “Strengthening Rural STEM Education” project, aiming to close gaps in student achievement. This will be accomplished by helping both the institution and its students build confidence and a sense of belonging in the STEM fields.

Project leader Jessica Black, Ph.D., professor of Environmental Science and Studies at Heritage, says a big part of strengthening STEM education at Heritage will be to integrate undergraduate research opportunities with strong academic support systems. The three research opportunities include:

• Panama Indigenous Intercambio Program (PIIP): A two-week international research experience fostering global STEM citizenship through collaboration with Indigenous ecological experts in Panama
• Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF): Eight to ten-week intensive research experiences with regional partners, including Washington State University, the USDA, and the Yakama Nation Department of Natural Resources
• Academic Year Undergraduate Research Fellowships: Extended research opportunities supporting senior thesis and capstone projects

Dr. Black says the project will create sustainable pathways for student success while serving as a replicable framework for other institutions nationwide. “At its core, this project is about giving students the tools, mentorship, and opportunities they need to thrive in STEM.”

Black also says rural schools face unique challenges in keeping STEM students on track, especially after the setbacks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. To tackle this, She says the project will make cultural and structural changes on campus by:

• Encouraging more open conversations between campus leaders and STEM faculty,
• Providing training for administrators, and
• Getting leadership more involved in student-centered STEM activities.

Heritage University President Dr. Chris Gilmer is excited about what the project will accomplish for both STEM students and the university’s STEM-related partnerships with other institutions. “What thrills me most about this project is how it combines innovative research methods—like student journaling, storytelling, and international experiences—with hands-on support such as research fellowships and early intervention programs, said Dr. Gilmer. “And it’s not just about helping students succeed in STEM today, but about building stronger connections between leadership and students, creating programs that serve entire communities, and preparing graduates to thrive in a global workforce. By sharing what we learn nationally, we hope to provide a model that other institutions can build on.”

Dr. Black says the bigger picture is about creating stronger connections between leadership and students, building community-focused STEM programs, and preparing more graduates for the global workforce. “Our findings will be shared widely through publications, conferences, and national networks so other institutions can benefit,” she said.

For more information and help with organizing interviews, please contact Davidson Mance at (509) 969-6084 or mance_d@heritage.edu.

 

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